Bad Art Night: The origin story of ‘Picass- oh no’!
Back when I was a new to this whole “librarian” thing, I had some feedback from Terry, a regular to Tara Library. He said, ” you need to do something for the people who can’t do art, so I have a chance at being the best one in the group”.
Well, I did. I set to planning a night where people could create whatever their heart inspired, using whatever materials we had on offer. I offered words of encouragement to all those who were skeptical about the “Bad” part, and down-skilled everyone’s creative prowess before they entered the doors.
It was an amazingly ‘art-rageous’ night. From giggles of sweet joy to the nervous laughter of unsureness.
So, sit back while we take you along for the ride so you as well can witness the creations of Art and Culture’s anti-heroes.
I set the stage: see how much crafty stuff I found in the depths of my storeroom?! If anything – this program is AMAZING for cleaning out all the half-used, no-real purpose items that take up space.
Every artist’s dream…
Much like every test of skill, we had to have 10 minutes of planning time. Ten WHOLE minutes to figure out what disaster of epic proportions could be made. Look at them all with their mischievous hands of evildoing!
This group were calm…I liked this group.
This group were vicious. Note the use of teeth and plotting of bad art ideas.
Time starts. 60 minutes to create the worst piece of art you could ever have the displeasure of viewing. Let’s meet some of our contenders...the others were too busy creating chaos to allow me a photo opportunity apparently.
Look at Steph scoping out the competition. You go, you!
Kelly – the hoarder of streamers.
Terry – the reason this all had to happen.
Linda – look at her smile! Surely one could not be capable of such terrible art?
Halfway point – I can see some…interesting creations starting to form. Some may be the stuff of nightmares; some may be hilarious. Don’t laugh too hard folks, the artists still have feelings.
I’m scared guys. What I have a created?
We are closer to the end here and all I can think about is the fact that I have to clean up. All. That. Glitter.
And….TIME! Because we are a real gallery with real art, we opened our exhibition up to other artists for voting with the very complicated “slap a sticker on the 3 worst” system.
It’s totes’ a real art exhibit.
It worked out well –because here are our WINNERS! In Third place, we have Aimee with…this. She has named her creation “Timothy”. Timothy is not for sale and the artist has made the unfortunate decision to take it home. My home. Yay me. Aimee was so aptly crowned ” Leonardo Da-Scary”.
Aimee in 3rd Place, now officially known as “Leonardo Da-Scary.
…Timothy *shudders*
In Second Place, we have Kelly’s wonderfully atrocious mess. A mess so ugly its name evades me. Another “artist refuses to sell” piece – Kelly was crowned “Vincent Van-No!”.
Kelly in 2nd place, now officially known as “Vincent Van-no!
Don’t stare into its eyes, guys.
And finally, in First place was Beck! Beck did something we all wished we could be brave enough to do, and used a dead cockroach for her statement piece in her art. For this, the crown of “Picass- oh no!” was handed over to Beck. It is a mighty crown, Beck, wear it well. It takes a lot of guts to be the worst.
Beck in 1st place, now officially known as “Picass – oh-no!”
Pssst…the cockroach is in the bottom left corner…
For all those wanting to see some more terrible art: here ya’ go…
What a mess! Shave foam and glitter = bad.
And so, the night ends and hours of cleaning begin. I hope you enjoyed our read-a-long of the night. All of our branches in Western Downs Libraries work hard to make programs like this available to our community. Next time you’re in, just ask one of the friendly staff what’s coming up near you, or pop onto our website to have a look!
One final thing, if you have a moment. Please spare a thought for Terry who, even after having a program designed to help him be the best at something, placed him squarely in the middle yet again. Sorry Terry, you’re just too good at art! We all told you so!
Terry and his “not-bad” art.